About this course
The sports industry is booming, with revenues in the billions and a global fan base that keeps expanding. As a result, professionals who can effectively manage the business aspects of sport and understand the science behind physical activity are in high demand.
To be successful in sports management, you not only need to know the ins and outs of sport, but also how to build relationships, strike advantageous deals, handle finances and think creatively. From financial decision-making to strategic marketing and events management, this industry is ideal for sports lovers with sharp business acumen.
On our sports management degree, you’ll combine all this with a detailed insight into exercise science, equipping you with versatile skills to suit a whole host of careers. It’s about putting theory into practice, pursuing your passion for sport, and building strong foundations for a career in a global and lucrative industry.
Why study this course?
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100% of BSc (Hons) Sport Science and Management students were positive about the academic support and organisation on their course (National Student Survey 2024). -
Top 20 in the UK for teaching quality in Sport Science (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024). -
Top 10 University for Sport in the British Universities & Colleges Sports (BUCS) Championship.
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Work on live briefs with organisations such as Nottingham Forest FC and the National Ice Centre.
What you’ll study
BSc Sport Science and Management combines the science behind exercise physiology, psychology and nutrition with the strategic and entrepreneurial side of sport – encompassing business, events management, sport marketing, and more. You’ll apply your learning to live client briefs, collaborate with internationally renowned sports clubs, and develop transferable skills which aren’t only relevant to the sports industry, but also extend into sectors like business, finance, marketing and even medical professions.
From Year Two onwards, you’ll benefit from an extensive range of optional modules, covering topics from exercise physiology and psychology to talent development and contemporary issues in sport. This allows you to specialise in your preferred areas of sport science whilst continuing to develop core business management skills.
You’ll also have the opportunity to get a Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) Personal Trainer qualification. This will incur a small fee, but it’s cheaper than doing it elsewhere.
Study highlights include:
- Work on live briefs for big industry players, such as Nottingham Forest and Notts County Football Clubs, Burton Rugby Club, the National Ice Centre and Nottingham Wildcats Basketball Club.
- Delve into both sport science and sport management topics, and tailor your own degree to suit your strengths and passions with a wide choice of optional modules.
- Learn professional skills necessary for sport management and other industries, like using customer relationship management (CRM) software and professional bookkeeping.
- Get involved with our dedicated Sport and Wellbeing Academy, where you can get face-to-face experience with schoolchildren and exercise referral patients from our local community.
- Gain additional qualifications like a Diploma in Professional Practice during a placement year, and a Personal Trainer certification with CIMPSA.
- Boost your employability further by learning a language alongside your sports management degree on our University Language Programme (ULP).
Here’s a full breakdown of your modules.
Introduction to Sport and Exercise Physiology (20 credit points)
This module provides the foundations of the key human systems (anatomical and physiological) and their responses and adaptations to sport and exercise.
Foundations of Sport and Exercise Psychology (20 cp)
Examine the psychological consequences of engaging in sport and exercise and the mental factors that impact quality sport and exercise experiences.
The Internal Business Environment (20 cp)
You will be introduced to key topics such as managers, teams, organisational culture, structure and communication. You will also study academic models and topics of law.
The External Business Environment (20 cp)
You will explore various academic approaches to management. Focusing on the external influences of business, you will learn to use the PESTEL model to analyse an organisation.
Sport Culture and Society: A Critical Introduction (20 cp)
Explore the importance of the social sciences in understanding sports and in the education of every sports professional.
Developing Academic and Research Skills (20 cp)
Get an overall perspective of the research process in the context of sport, exercise, health and leisure management, and learn the research skills necessary to complete your studies.
Core modules:
Professional Practice (20 cp)
Through a short placement, you will learn to apply, analyse and evaluate various vocationally relevant processes, enhancing your employability and preparing you for the world of work.
Strategic Management and Economic Analysis (20 cp)
This module aims to develop your understanding of strategy and resource management and the role these play in establishing competitive advantage. In addition to recognising issues associated with supply and demand, broadcasting and sponsorship and competitive balance.
Sports Marketing and CRM Systems (20 cp)
You are introduced to digital marketing systems and essential customer relationship management (CRM) principles and practices whilst also learning the unique nature of sports marketing.
Integrated Applied and Professional Skills (20 cp)
Using inquiry-based learning, students will continue to learn about the research process and gain an understanding and experience of how research is conducted within the field of sport science and management.
Optional modules - choose two:
Applied Sport and Exercise Physiology (20 cp)
Through theoretical and practical study, you will learn how bouts of physical exercise alter the body’s structures and functions and how these concepts can be applied to training.
Practical Applications in Sport Psychology (20 cp)
This module introduces the concept of evidence-based practice and frameworks of assessment, intervention and evaluation to address issues in sport, coaching, social and exercise psychology.
Sociology of Sport, Health and the Body (20 cp)
Investigate the relationship between sport, exercise, physical activity and health by developing a small research project.
Core modules:
Sport Project and Dissertation (40 cp)
You will produce original and independent work in a specialist area of sports science, coaching, exercise science or sport and leisure management, depending on your focus of study.
Entrepreneurship and Enterprise (20 cp)
Learn about entrepreneurship, critically evaluate business environments, and develop the knowledge, skills and techniques required to create a start-up company business plan effectively.
Economics and Finance in Sport and Leisure Industry (20 cp)
Learn the key theories and apply this knowledge to everyday sport management problems. You’ll cover topics such as pricing strategies, sport analytics, betting markets and financial risk which will assist in your ability to become a leading sport manager in the field.
Optional modules - choose one:
Transforming Sport: Sustainability and Social Justice (20 cp)
Study and challenge the accepted beliefs and practices of those who govern and promote sport. Drawing on a variety of topics, this module presents a case for sport sociology as an agent of positive change in sport.
Advanced Topics in Sport and Exercise Psychology (20 cp)
You will become familiar with selected areas such as motivational climate, athletic identity, mental toughness, psychology of injury and morality in sports. The emphasis of this module will be placed on current primary research.
Strength, Power and Endurance for Sport and Exercise (20 cp)
This module typically focuses on six topics related to applied exercise physiology and strength and conditioning research.
Optional modules - choose one:
Challenging Critical Issues in Sport (20 cp)
You'll analyse complex problems such as sports injury, drug use in sports and inequality and develop potential solutions using positive social changes.
Talent Development in Sport (20 cp)
This module will explore a critical view of the role of talent development in sports, focusing on the psychosocial, environmental, and personal factors that can influence the talent development process.
Event Management in the Sport and Leisure Industry (20 cp)
This module will help you develop your knowledge and skills in all appropriate management functions to plan for, develop and manage an event effectively.
We regularly review and update our course content based on student and employer feedback, ensuring that all of our courses remain current and relevant. This may result in changes to module content or module availability in future years.
Don’t just take our word for it, hear from our students themselves
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How you're taught
How will I learn?
Your teaching team will be made up of seasoned sport science and sport management experts, ranging from long-time industry practitioners to respected academic researchers. At NTU, our outstanding research informs all our teaching – and not only will you be taught by the people behind it, but you’ll be using the very same facilities and equipment they use.
You’ll learn through a mix of:
- lectures, covering the key theories and most pressing issues in sport management
- seminars, which are smaller-group sessions perfect for learning key skills and collaborative working
- practical workshops using our extensive range of industry-standard facilities
- contact sessions with businesses within Nottingham’s community
- external visits to the organisations which set your live briefs.
As the course progresses, you’ll have an increasing amount of time to focus on independent study and research. You’ll still have access to your tutors whenever you need them.
How you're assessed
People excel in different ways, and we want everybody to have the best possible chance of success. With the extensive range of optional modules available to you on this sports management degree, you get to choose not only what you study, but also how you are assessed. Our assessment types include:
- coursework, including group projects, reports, dissertation and other assignments
- practical assessments, such as individual and group presentations, laboratory reports and client interviews
- written work in the form of formal essays, journal articles or blogs, exams and multiple-choice tests.
Careers and employability
A sport science degree can open doors throughout the sports, fitness and medical sectors – but this degree broadens your options even further. With its focus on sport management, you’ll develop an understanding of the ways businesses operate across all industries, and you’ll graduate with the practical and transferable skills sought after by employers everywhere. Just a handful of these include business acumen, communication, financial and economical skills, teamwork, strategic thinking, emotional intelligence, networking, and leadership.
Our graduates have previously gone on to fill roles including:
- Partnership Coordinator at Formula E
- Senior Hospitality Sales Manager at Nottingham Forest Football Club
- Logistics & Operations Assistant at DTB (sports hospitality and events management)
- National Account Manager at Nestlé
- Community Development Officer at Ipswich Town Foundation
- Partnerships Executive at Manchester City Football Club
- Marketing Professional at bet365
- Ice Sports Team Leader at the National Ice Centre and Motorpoint Arena
- Finance Associate at Hillarys
You’ll be supported by our award-winning Employability team for up to three years after you graduate, and have access to comprehensive online career resources for life. If you’re a budding entrepreneur, you can even get free advice and guidance in setting up your own business from NTU Enterprise. In fact, one in seven of our sport management students set up their own business.
Sport and Wellbeing Academy
Our Sport and Wellbeing Academy offers additional work-like experience opportunities for sport management students, with the help of our tremendous community partners. You'll get the chance to work alongside our experienced Senior Exercise Practitioners to deliver programmes which help improve the health and wellbeing of local people. Find out more about the Academy.
Placements
On this sports management degree, you can complete a year-long placement (or ‘sandwich year’) after Year Two, on a paid or voluntary basis. This sandwich option is a very popular way to gain the vital work experience that employers look for.
We’ll support you throughout your placement, and you’ll be able to complete a Diploma in Professional Practice while you work.
Our most recent placement students have worked at organisations spanning multiple industries, including:
- Bosch Motorsport
- Kinetic Foundation (football charity)
- Engage Digital Partners (sport marketing agency)
- Secondary schools in Nottingham, London and beyond
- DTB Sport Hospitality and Event Management Ltd
- Accounting and finance firms like Grant Thornton and Tatu Capital
They’ve carried out a broad range of roles, from sports interns and marketing associates to account executives, teachers, social media managers and operations assistants.
Campus and facilities
You’ll mainly be studying in the Erasmus Darwin and CELS Buildings with access to facilities including an environmental chamber, biomechanics lab, and nutrition suite.
Our self-contained, community-focused Clifton Campus has been designed to keep students busy between lectures. Catch-up with your course mates in the Pavilion’s barista café and Refectory; brainstorm group presentations in chic and stylish study spaces; enjoy some proper R&R in The Point, home of our Students’ Union. The campus also hosts the multimillion-pound Clifton Sports Hub, offering great options for everyone — whatever your interests, and however competitive you’d like to get!
Take a few steps off campus and you’ll find yourself in the heart of Nottingham — one of Britain’s top 10 student cities, and one of Europe’s top 25. As well as offering a great social scene, it’s one of the UK’s key sporting hubs, home to the iconic Trent Bridge Cricket Ground; Notts County (the world’s oldest professional football league club) and two-time European Cup-winners Nottingham Forest; the Nottingham Tennis Centre, the National Ice Centre, and the National Watersports Centre at Holme Pierrepont; plus rugby union, rugby league, hockey and ice hockey teams.
There are over 40 sports clubs to get involved with during your time at NTU, allowing you to discover new passions, integrate with our sporting community, and even apply some of your learning to your own pastimes. Plus, all our campuses host their own gym and fitness suites, and you can access coaching and injury clinics.
Entry requirements
UK students
- Standard offer: 120 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications, including A-level equivalent a PE or Science subject
- Contextual offer: 112 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications, including A-level equivalent a PE or Science subject
To find out what qualifications have tariff points, please use our tariff calculator.
Additional requirements for UK students
If you are applying with a BTEC, NCFE or an OCR qualification equivalent to only one A Level, for example a BTEC Extended Certificate (previously BTEC Subsidiary Diploma), you will also need an A-level in a science subject or equivalent. We will accept Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Sport Studies or Psychology.
Contextual offers
If you don’t quite meet our entry requirements, we might be able to make you a lower offer based on a range of factors, including your background (such as where you live and the school or college you attended), your experiences and your individual circumstances (you may have been in care, for example). This is called a contextual offer, and we get data from UCAS to help make these decisions. We do this because we believe everyone with the potential to succeed at NTU should have the opportunity to do so, no matter what barriers you may face.
Meeting our entry requirements
Hundreds of qualifications in the UK have UCAS Tariff points attached to specific grades, including A-levels, BTECs, T Levels and many more. You can use your grades and points from up to four different qualifications to meet our criteria. Enter your predicted or achieved grades into our Tariff calculator to find out how many points your qualifications are worth.
Other qualifications and experience
NTU welcomes applications from students with non-standard qualifications and learning backgrounds, either for year one entry or for advanced standing beyond the start of a course into year 2 or beyond.
We consider study and/or credit achieved from a similar course at another institution (otherwise known as credit transfer), vocational and professional qualifications, and broader work or life experience.
Our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy outlines the process and options available for this route. If you wish to apply via Recognition of Prior Learning, please contact the central Admissions and Enquiries Team who will be able to support you through the process.
Getting in touch
If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form.
International students
- Academic entry requirements: 120 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications, including A-level equivalent a PE or Science subject. We accept equivalent qualifications from all over the world. Please check your international entry requirements by country.
- English language requirements: See our English language requirements page for requirements for your subject and information on alternative tests and Pre-sessional English.
Additional requirements for international students
If you are applying with a BTEC, NCFE or an OCR qualification equivalent to only one A Level, for example a BTEC Extended Certificate (previously BTEC Subsidiary Diploma), you will also need an A-level in a science subject or equivalent. We will accept Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Sport Studies or Psychology.
If you need help achieving the academic entry requirements, we offer a Foundation preparation course for this degree. The course is offered through our partner Nottingham Trent International College (NTIC) based on our City Campus.
English language requirements
View our English language requirements for all courses, including alternative English language tests and country qualifications accepted by the University.
If you need help achieving the language requirements, we offer a Pre-Sessional English for Academic Purposes course on our City campus which is an intensive preparation course for academic study at NTU.
Other qualifications and experience
If you have the right level of qualifications, you may be able to start your Bachelors degree at NTU in year 2 or year 3. This is called ‘advanced standing’ entry and is decided on a case-by case basis after our assessment of your qualifications and experience.
You can view our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy which outlines the process and options available, such as recognising experiential learning and credit transfer.
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Getting in touch
If you need advice about studying at NTU as an international student or how to apply, our international webpages are a great place to start. If you have any questions about your study options, your international qualifications, experience, grades or other results, please get in touch through our enquiry form. Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world.
Policies
We strive to make our admissions procedures as fair and clear as possible. To find out more about how we make offers, visit our admissions policies page.
